Mar 27, 2019 07:00:00

Amazon has hired over 100 disabled workers through partnerships with NPOs

With a focus on not only too convenient online shopping but also

real stores , Amazon talks about the harsh working environment and is actively working on improving the working environment for troubled workers. As part of that hiring policy, the Amazon reports that it employs hundreds of disabled workers through partnerships with disability services non-profit organizations, the Seattle Times reports.

Amazon finds an alternative workforce through Northwest Center, a Seattle nonprofit helping people with disabilities | The Seattle Times
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/amazon-finds-an-alternative-workforce-through-northwest-center-seattle-nonprofit-helping-people-with-disabilities/

Seattle-based Northwest Center for Disabled Services Non-Profit (NPO) has grown to meet Amazon's business needs in over 17 years of relationships with Amazon. “The focus is on ability, not disability, and all people are talented and capable. We were able to succeed on Amazon,” said Jean Bose, CEO, Northwest Center. It is because it was the role to mediate between the ability and the need. ”

by chi chang wu

The relationship between Amazon and the Northwest Center comes from Amazon's top real estate executive John Sketler, who joined the Northwest Center for six years before joining Amazon in 2001. 'We have quirky needs, and the people at the Northwest Center can help us meet them,' said Schettler. According to Bose, the problem with the Amazon organization could be significantly changed by the partnership with the Northwest Center.

In 2015, 22 disabled workers were hired for part-time work on Amazon as part of a pilot program. The employee introduced by Northwest Center has met the same expectations as the other employees, says Amazon. This expanded the program and brought many employees to various locations, such as boxing and sorting centers.

According to a report by Northwest Center, employees deployed to Amazon with a referral from Northwest Center in 2017 achieved an average productivity of 98%, and the rate of incidents at the warehouse also recorded a low value of 1.1%. Also the attendance rate was quite good. With over 180 disabled people working with Amazon through the Northwest Center since 2015, social contributions such as increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities and a drop in the unemployment rate I play.